ホスピタリティーの要でもある、相手に合わせて何かを勧めたり、助けをオファーするシチュエーション。スマートに、そして自信をもって声をかけることが出来れば、同時にあなたの存在感をよりアピールすることができます。
Offering is a key aspect of hospitality. Doing so quickly, smoothly and confidently will help you stand out from the crowd.
Some students may feel shy or embarrassed about offering beyond what's expected—e.g., coffee for guests, running off an extra copy, etc. This lesson should drive home the need to go out of your way to offer things regularly.
- Have you ever offered to help someone in need?
- Can you think of a potential future situation in which you would need to offer help?
1. Have you ever offered to help someone in need?
Of course they have, but it may be hard to remember the situation, or they may not want to discuss it. That's okay. If you do get a story, then ask:
- "Was it in English?" and,
- "What would/did you say in English in that situation?"
Can you think of a potential future situation in which you need to offer help?
This is key for future examples and practices, so dig in a little. If your student can't think of anything, then focus on a place:
- What about in the office?
- Imagine you see a visitor in the waiting room, and they are coughing. (Maybe offer them water? Are they getting sick?)
- What about on the train?
- Imagine you see an elderly Western person standing with a heavy bag, and they want to put it overhead.
If your student is the type who enjoys discussions and tangents, you may want to discuss:
- The bystander effect—simply put, individuals are less likely to offer help when other people are present. Every person thinks someone else will do it, so nobody actually does it.
Has your student felt this? What can you do about it?
A. Asking a question is the most common way of offering. Arrange the questions below from most formal to least formal. Note that in the first list, the subject is "I".
- Can I get you something to drink?
- Shall I get you a glass of water?
- Could I take your coat?
Work with your teacher to think of a few more verbs that work in the above examples.
B: Again, arrange the questions below from most formal to least formal. In these questions, the subject is "you".
- Would you like tea or coffee?
- Do you need a hand?
- Would you care for some refreshments?
Work with your teacher to think of any more offers that work in the above examples.
C. If you are certain the person requires your assistance, then you can make an offer with a statement:
- Let me give you a hand.
- No problem. I'll just run off a new copy.
- Here's a pen/Here you go/Here you are.
Work with your teacher to think of any more offers that work as a statement.
A. These are pretty similar in terms of formality, but here they are in order from most formal to least formal:
2. Shall I get you a glass of water?
3. Could I take your coat?
1. Can I get you something to drink?
Here are some examples: Can I help you/lend you a hand? Can I offer you some tea or coffee?
B. These are more varied. Note that these are similar to some invitations:
3. Would you care for some refreshments?
1. Would you like tea or coffee?
2. Do you need a hand?
The above verbs are a set. Saying "Do you like..." is not an offer.
Here are some more nouns we can offer: some help/assistance.
C. If you are certain the person requires your assistance, then you can make an offer with a statement:
- Let me give you a hand.
- No problem. I'll just run off a new copy.
- Here's a pen/Here you go/Here you are.
Other examples:
- Oops, the door's still open. I'll take care of it
- Let me get you some painkillers. Just a sec.
- I'll order lunch, just let me know your preference.
What would you do in these situations?
- An elderly man is standing in front of you. He's trying to lift his bag up onto the overhead luggage rack.
- You see a new recruit in the hallway of your office looking confused.
- Your client's pen runs out of ink.
- It's a hot day and an international guest arrives at your office.
- Now it's raining and the international guest is about to go outside.